Welcome to the July
Bulletin from Hastings United FC
Welcome to the July Bulletin from Hastings United FC
As we prepare for the new season ahead, we get the thoughts of our Team Managers and wish them all every success.
The Board of Directors also face the challenge of the Pilot Field re-development, and we hope to be able to present a further update on the plans early in the new season at a Fans Forum.
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TEAM NEWS
MENS FIRST TEAM
Preparations for the 25/26 season are well underway and planning to the training schedule complete.
The squad is taking shape and there has already been a number of announcements with more to follow over the coming weeks of which I am sure the supporters will be very happy with. As the squad takes shape, I am excited to get pre-season underway and countdown to the 9th August where we start our Isthmian Southeast campaign. I am keen to have a great start to the campaign and carry that momentum through where we hope to be in contention of gaining promotion back to the Isthmian Premier. I look forward to seeing all you U’s soon. – Lee Carey
New signings to date – Brad Barry (Midfielder) and Club Captain – Tom Vickers (Midfielder) – Finn Holter (Keeper) – Dan Hull (Defender) – James Hull (Forward) – George Taggart (Midfielder) – Callum Barlow (Forward) – Dean Gunner (Defender)
Pre Season Friendlies
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WOMENS FIRST TEAM
It’s great to be back at Hastings United and serve the club again as Women’s Manager. This month it’s been about making sure we have ourselves in a position to compete again. It’s important we have the right mix of staff, I have bought in Stefanos Akras as Assistant Manager, Todd Seavers as First Team Coach, Sam Piper as Physio and Joseph Knight as Video Analyst. All have worked with me in previous jobs, understand my standards, style of play and I know will work hard for the club to deliver. We had a successful meeting with the current playing staff, outlined our plans and objectives for this season, including our pre-season schedule.
With regards to new signings, do not expect an influx of players, we will be bringing in additional quality to help with what we have (maybe some faces of past success!), but we as a staff believe there is more to come from individuals in this group, with a bit more organisation and structure. We will also be working closely with Neil Cornwell who is the U18s lead this year, to support the progression of players in our Girls Academy. When we set the Girls section up four years ago it was always to develop players who either could go on to represent the First Team or beyond, and we hope we can continue this, but maintaining a competitive side and deliver successful Sundays again to The Pilot Field. – Billy Wood
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Here is our pre-season schedule, we would love you to come and watch
13th July – Westfield (Away) – 2pm Kick Off (Note: This will be a U18s/First Team mixed team)
20th July – Ashford Town Middlesex (Away) – 2pm Kick Off
27th July – Newhaven (Away) – 2pm Kick Off
3rd August – Eastbourne (Home) – 2pm Kick Off
10th August – Sutton United (Home) Kick Off TB
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INCLUSIVE & DISABILITY TEAM
Hastings United Inclusive and Disability team had a great season. We finished 4th with 8 points. Same points as last season, but last season we fought for every point getting them at the end of the season. We went up to lancing six times and came away with points every time apart from one visit. We look towards next season going on even stronger. We have hopefully five new signings for next season. Which are: Will Carey Shaun Hursey Edward Oliver Sam McLaughlan Lewis Richards We have some good talent coming in and will make this team even stronger. I believe next season will be our best one yet. More friendlies will be organised, hopefully we’ll play against Eastbourne at their ground again which again hopefully we will host them at the end of next season. More tournaments to look forward to as well. I honestly believe next season will be a great one and look forward to how they all progress. Will be keeping a close eye on the new signings and look forward to seeing them work.
247 Transport Solutions have confirmed that they will continue to provide, free of charge, a driver and minibus for the Team’s league fixtures at Lancing for the 2025/26 season. We are very grateful to 247 for their continued support of our Inclusive & Disability Team. – Lewis Willard
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WALKING FOOTBALL
The walking footballers are looking forward to the new season with kit sponsors on-board.
Pension Bee will be sponsoring the HU first team and Rye Oil are looking after Hastings Hornets.
Both teams play in the East Sussex league and had middling seasons.
United player manager Mick Elliott is strengthening his squad and Hornets boss Paul Reardon is going to build on his highest points tally since the league formed four years ago.
The Hornets have taken on a new coach who is working on skills such as set pieces on a pre-season weekly basis.
The league kicks off in August.
Anyone over 50 (or women over 40) is invited to come train with the teams on Thursday nights or Saturday mornings.
Contact club secretary Tony by email on Tonyharris750@hotmail.com for more details.
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CLUB NEWS
THE CLUB IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE AIR AMBULANCE KENT SURREY SUSSEX WILL BE OUR NEW CHARITY PARTNER FOR SEASON 2025/2026
This partnership is in recognition of the amazing care and treatment given to our lifelong supporter, Chris after a serious medical emergency at an away game.
As a Club we wanted to show our support and give thanks to this most worthwhile cause that relies on public donations.
Learn more about the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) below:
‘We are Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and we are committed to saving lives and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients. Every life is important.
The world is unpredictable, and medical emergencies happen, changing lives forever. That’s why KSS has dedicated the last 35 years to saving lives and providing pre-hospital critical care. The charity is a vital part of your community. In 2023-2024 KSS were called to respond to a record number of missions, over 3,300 (3,382) incidents.
Time is critical.
We can reach patients by helicopter within just 30 minutes, often much faster.
When KSS arrives on scene, our patients are in critical need of emergency care. KSS clinical teams can deliver emergency anaesthesia, administer blood transfusions to patients suffering from life-threatening blood loss, and can perform lifesaving emergency chest and heart surgical procedures. They can do all of this at the side of a road, on a beach, in a park, in a patient’s own home – in all weathers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
But we can’t do this without your support.
It costs it costs £56k per day to operate our world leading, lifesaving service, with 88% of our total income raised through the incredible generosity of our supporters.
Every life matters and with your support we can give every patient the best possible chance of survival and recovery.
Please support KSS and Hastings United, in our fight to save lives.’
THERE WILL BE A COLLECTION FOR KSS AT OUR FIRST HOME MATCH
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FEATURES / FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Congratulations to our Women’s Team for their very competitive defence of their Knockout Challenge Trophy at this year’s event. Sadly, they did not quite manage to retain the trophy losing narrowly by 4 points to new Champions Ashdown Hurrey, who are one of the Club’s Business Partners. Thanks to all the teams that entered and made the day a great success.
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The ‘ Cops & Robbers’ Women’s team – ‘We wuz robbed of our Trophy’
Two events coming up this Autumn:-
Saturday 27th September at the Hastings Sports & Social Club – The Elvis Show featuring a Charity Casino night in aid of KISS and local charity the Sara Lee Trust. Enjoy entertainment from one of the UK’s leading Elvis impersonators Trevor Dodson. Trevor is one of the UK’s leading professional Elvis Tribute Acts/Elvis Impersonators entertaining at public and private functions across the UK. Trevor is supported by the fabulous local entertainer Ritchie Lee. You can also play the Casino tables – Black Jack, Roulette and Dice (Craps) with professional dealers and even try your hand at Poker.
More details to follow soon.
November – Fireworks evening – date to be confirmed shortly
A firm favourite at the Club and this year we team up with Battle Bonfire Boys to bring you a whole new style presentation of our ever popular Fireworks evening.
Welcome back to the Pilot Field
for the 2025/2026 Season
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